Fore Systems, Inc.

Jon C Bennett

Robert Brownhill

Fan Zhou

The present invention pertains to an apparatus for providing service to entities. The apparatus comprises a server for providing the service. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of entities which require the service of the server. The entities are connected with the server. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a scheduler for scheduling when each of the entities receives the service of the server. The scheduler is connected with the server and the entities. There is a time stamp mechanism for providing a longer-format time stamp to a requesting entity of the plurality of entities whenever the requesting entity requests service from the server. The time stamp mechanism is connected to the scheduler and the server. Moreover, the apparatus comprises means for compressing the longer-format time stamp into a corresponding shorter-format window-based time stamp and storing the shorter-format window based time stamp. The scheduler schedules service by the server of the requesting entity based on the shorter-format window-based time stamp stored in the memory. The present invention pertains to a method for providing service to entities. An apparatus for manipulating a time stamp. A method for manipulating a time stamp.

Method and apparatus for encoding and/or decoding a time stamp

The present invention pertains to a method for multicasting ATM cells. The method comprises the steps of reading a first ATM cell to which a first cell read pointer is pointing. Then there is the step of transmitting the first ATM cell out a first port to a first address. Next there is the step of determining whether the first ATM cell is to be transmitted out the first port to a second address. Next there is the step of reading a cell pointer pointing to a second ATM cell if the transmission of the first ATM cell out the first port to addresses is completed. The present invention pertains to a multicast system for an ATM network. The multicast system is comprised of a first ATM cell pointer mechanism associated with a first port. The multicast system also comprises at least a second ATM cell pointer mechanism associated with a second port. The multicast system is also comprised of at least a first ATM cell. The first ATM cell pointer mechanism and the second ATM cell pointer mechanism points to the first ATM cell. There is a first node having a first address and a node address pointer. The first ATM cell pointer mechanism points to the first node. There is a second node having a second address. The node address pointer of the first node points to the second node. The first and second nodes form a linked list of addresses.

Method and apparatus for multicast of ATM cells

The present invention pertains to a method for sorting. The method comprises the steps of forming a decision tree comprised of at least a first level having at least a first entry with either a first result or a second result corresponding to values as they fill a queue. Then, there is the step of reading the result in the first entry of the first level of the decision tree. Next, there is the step of choosing the value in the first entry of the first level from the queue corresponding to the result in the first entry. The present invention comprises a priority queue. The priority queue comprises an array in which elements are stored. Also, the priority queue comprises a controller which stores the elements in the array with no memory reads and a constant number of memory writes so a smallest element in the array can be identified.

Method and apparatus for sorting elements

A method for scheduling when a server provides service to entities. The method includes the steps of identifying when a first entity requests service from the server. Next there is the step of providing service to an entity, such as a first entity or a second entity, as a function of virtual time. A scheduler for controlling when a server provides service to entities. The scheduler comprises a memory having times which are a function of when entities request service from the server. The scheduler is also comprised of a virtual clock that keeps track of time. The scheduler is also comprised of a controller which causes an entity to receive service from the server as a function of virtual time. Rate can also be utilized.

Method and a scheduler for controlling when a server provides service

A scheduler for controlling when N entities, where N is an integer greater than or equal to one, are operated upon by a server. The scheduler includes a starting time memory. The starting time memory has only arriving times which are greater than virtual time. The scheduler also includes a finishing time memory. The finishing time memory has finishing times of the N entities whose starting times are less than or equal to virtual time. Additionally, the scheduler includes a virtual clock that keeps track of virtual time so the arriving times and finishing times can be identified. Moreover, the scheduler is also comprised of a controller for choosing entities to be operated upon by the server from the finishing time memory. A method of scheduling when a server provides service to entities.

A method for scheduling when a server provides service to entities. The method includes the steps of identifying when a first entity requests service from the server. Next there is the step of providing service to an entity, such as a first entity or a second entity, as a function of when the entity requests service from the server. A scheduler for controlling when a server provides service to entities. The scheduler includes a memory having times which are a function of when entities request service from the server. The scheduler also includes a virtual clock that keeps track of time as a function of when entities request service from the server. The scheduler also includes a controller which causes an entity to receive service from the server as a function of when the entity requests service from the server. A scheduler for scheduling when N entities each of which has a weight w, where N is an integer .ltoreq.1 and w is a real number, are served by a server.

Method and a scheduler for controlling when a server provides service to

A linked list for multicast in an ATM network. The linked list comprises a first cell. The linked list also comprises a plurality of read pointers. Each read pointer is associated with a port. Each read pointer points to the first cell. A multicast system for an ATM network. The system comprises a first port through which a cell passes. The system also comprises a first read pointer associated with the first port. The multicast system additionally comprises at least a second port through which the cell passes. There is at least a second read pointer associated with the second port. The multicast system is comprised of a cell to which each read pointer points. Furthermore, the multicast system is comprised of a controller for controlling when a read pointer reads a cell. The system preferably includes a plurality of cells. Each cell has a cell pointer pointing to a next cell. The plurality of cells forms a linked list. The controller points a read pointer to the next cell after the cell the read pointer was pointing to is read. A method for multicasting. The method comprises the steps of forming a first read pointer and at least a second read pointer. Each read pointer corresponds to a first port and a second port, respectively. Each read pointer points to a cell. Then there is the step of choosing a port. Next there is the step of locating the read pointer for the port. Then there is the step of reading the cell to which the read pointer is pointing. Preferably, the cell includes data and the cell includes a cell pointer pointing to a second cell, if there is a second cell. The first cell and at least the second cell forms a linked list.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Jon C Bennett